Conical Flapper Check Valve With Resilient Band Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing check valves, particularly those with hinged flappers, face challenges in maintaining effective sealing and durability due to the use of multiple torsion springs and separate bumpers, which can lead to complexity and potential downstream damage.

Innovation Solution

A check valve design featuring pivotally mounted flapper elements with a resilient band that biases the flappers towards a closed conical or frustoconical position, eliminating the need for multiple torsion springs and providing a bumper function by contacting the duct inner wall, thus simplifying construction and reducing torque on hinges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple torsion springs and separate bumpers are used in check valves, then the sealing and durability can be maintained, but the device complexity increases and downstream damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidvalve construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple torsion springs into a single resilient band that wraps around the conical surface formed by flapper elements. This single band performs the function of multiple springs while reducing component count and assembly complexity. The resilient band is attached to locators on the flapper elements, creating a integrated biasing mechanism that maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring separate bumpers or multiple springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient band serves multiple functions simultaneously: it biases flapper elements toward the closed position to maintain sealing, absorbs impact forces during operation, and eliminates the need for separate bumper components. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining or improving reliability compared to traditional designs with separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple torsion springs and separate bumpers are used in check valves, then the sealing and durability can be maintained, but the risk of downstream damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddownstream damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient band is designed to absorb and dampen impact forces before they can propagate downstream through the valve housing. By providing this cushioning effect through the elastic properties of the band, the design protects downstream components from damage caused by sudden pressure changes or flapper element impacts, eliminating the need for separate bumper components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If a resilient band is used instead of multiple torsion springs, then the device complexity is reduced and downstream damage risk is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve construction simplicityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient band is strategically positioned and attached to locators on the flapper elements at specific locations that optimize its ability to maintain sealing. The band wraps around the conical surface formed by the flappers, providing localized biasing force where needed to ensure proper sealing contact between flapper elements and against the valve seat, while the overall structure remains simpler than multiple springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances sealing efficiency, reduces the risk of downstream damage, and extends the operating life of the valve by using a single resilient band for biasing and damping impact forces, potentially eliminating the need for separate bumpers and allowing for a lighter, less robust construction.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient band extending around a circumference of the conical or frustoconical surface defined by the plurality of flapper elements in the closed position for biasing the flapper elements towards the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

damping impact forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10948093B2Check valves

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A check valve comprises a valve housing defining an opening and a plurality of flapper elements each having a proximal end and a distal end. The flapper elements are pivotally mounted to the valve housing at their proximal ends for pivotal movement between a closed position, in which they block the flow of fluid through the opening and an open position in which they permit the flow of fluid through the opening. Each flapper element is generally triangular or trapezoidal in shape such that the flapper elements together create a generally conical or frustoconical surface when the valve is in the closed position. A resilient band extending around a circumference of the conical or frustoconical surface defined by the plurality of flapper elements in the closed position for biasing the flapper elements towards the closed position.